Free NBA Playoffs Picks – Friday April 30, 2010
These free NBA Playoffs picks are courtesy of Pregame.com.
The Milwaukee Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their first round playoff series. The Bucks are looking to win 4 consecutive games from the Hawks, and pull off a playoff stunner. The Hawks are 2 point favorites, with a total of 190 points tonight. ESPN will broadcast the game at 7:00 EDT.
Milwaukee is one win away from a very improbable first round upset. The Bucks showed their fighting spirit, as they came from 9 points down in the final quarter to steal Game 5 in Atlanta. After losing the first two games of this series, the Bucks have won the past 3. The Bucks have been the listed underdog in 4 of the 5 games played thus far, and will again be the listed underdog tonight. Milwaukee has been fighting for respect all year, as critics continue to not believe in this Bucks team. This criticism is part of the reason the Bucks are so successful from an ATS standpoint. The Bucks are 49-38 SU and 55-30-2 ATS overall this season. The Bucks have easily been one of the elite teams ATS this year. Milwaukee is 30-13 SU and 26-16-1 ATS at home this season. The Bucks are also 26-16 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Milwaukee was an unbelievable 27-12 ATS during the 2nd half of the regular season. Milwaukee is 29-19 ATS this season when facing teams that score more than 99 PPG this year. PG Brandon Jennings continues to play beyond his years, as he's leading the Bucks in scoring during the playoffs with 20.8 PPG.
The Bucks are 14-4 ATS in their last 18 games as an underdog. The Over is 6-0 in the last 6 Bucks home games against a team with a losing road record. Center Andrew Bogut is Out for the remainder of the playoffs.
Atlanta is on the verge of an epic collapse, as they were up 2-0 in their first round series against Milwaukee. The Hawks were a huge favorite in this series, yet they've lost the past 3 games to stare elimination right in their faces. The Hawks will have to learn how to win on the road in a hurry, otherwise they will have an early start to their summer. Atlanta is 55-32 SU and 50-37 ATS overall this season, but their road record isn't nearly as good. The Hawks are 19-24 SU and 22-20-1 ATS away from home this season. Atlanta is also only 2-3 as road favorites of 3 PTS or fewer this season. The Hawks are also only 1-10 ATS this season when playing against a team that beat them previously in Atlanta. The Hawks played well in Milwaukee during the regular season, as they went 2-0 ATS against them. The Hawks have struggled to score over their past 3 games, yet they still have 6 different players averaging double figures in PTS this series. G Joe Johnson is leading the Hawks with 23.2 PPG during the playoffs, along with 6 APG. The Hawks need more scoring help from their bench, which has been nearly nonexistent since the playoffs began.
The Hawks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss. The Over is 4-0 in their last 4 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. Forward Josh Smith is listed as probable with an injured eye.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 99-98 in favor of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Over 190 is the Total of the Day!
The next of our two NBA Playoffs free picks...
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in Game 6 of their 1st Round playoff series. The Thunder are facing elimination, and will look to play well in front of their home fans yet again. The Thunder are 1.5 favorites, with a total of 194.5 points expected tonight. ESPN will broadcast the game at 9:30 EDT.
Oklahoma City finally played like the young team they are. After tying their series with the Lakers at 2-2, the Thunder were blown out in Los Angeles. The Thunder still have plenty of confidence, as they know they have dominated the Lakers at home in this series. The Thunder are also playing with a nothing to lose mentality, as they know they weren't expected to challenge the Lakers in this series. The Thunder are 3-2 ATS against the Lakers in this series, with one of their losses coming by a half point. Oklahoma City is 52-35 SU and 51-36 ATS overall this season. The Thunder are 29-14 SU and 24-19 ATS at home this season. One of the biggest reasons why the Thunder have been so successful at home this year is because of their electric crowd. The Thunder are 5-3 ATS as a home favorite of 3 PTS or fewer this year this season. Oklahoma City will again look to F Kevin Durant and PG Russell Westbrook to lead them to victory tonight. Westbrook will look to
bounce back from a poor performance in Game 5, where he had 8 turnovers while being shadowed by Kobe Bryant.
The Thunder are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. The Over is 4-0 in their last 4 games as a favorite.
Los Angeles is plenty motivated for Game 6 in Oklahoma City, as they want some rest. That rest is much needed, particularly for G Kobe Bryant. Bryant is nursing several injuries, and it's quite obvious that Bryant is far more injured than he's letting on. This Lakers team is a veteran unit, and they know they need to win tonight to ensure some rest. Los Angeles was ultimately successful in Game 5 thanks to their defense and their reliance on getting the ball inside offensively. Bryant is only averaging 21 PPG this series, far below his season scoring numbers. However, Bryant guarded Russell Westbrook and harassed him all over the court. Bryant proved just how valuable he really is, as he was ultimately successful in hindering the Thunder offensive attack. Forward Paul Gasol and Center Andrew Bynum are combining for 33 PPG against the Thunder. The Lakers are 60-27 SU and 35-49-3 ATS overall this season. The Lakers are 23-20 SU and 18-24-1 ATS on the road this season. Los Angeles is a paltry 2-7 ATS as a road underdog of 3 PTS or fewer this season.
The Lakers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. The Under is 11-4 in their last 15 games as a road underdog. Center D.J. Mbenga is listed as Questionable tonight thanks to an injured eye. Guard Sasha Vujacic is listed as Out with an ankle injury.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 102-93 in favor of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder -1.5 is the Play of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
